mothers

SPRING is blooming and what better way to celebrate Mother’s Day than heading out in the sunshine and making use of some ‘mums go free’ deals to top attractions.

I love heading out with my boys, but sometimes it can cost a lot by the time I pay for myself and them.

But when it comes to Mother’s Day, my secret weapon is heading to spots that have a ‘mums go free’ offer.

The offers celebrate Mother’s Day but is a great opportunity for having a fun family day out whilst saving a bit of cash.

One of our favourites as a family is Audley End miniature railway near Saffron Walden in Essex, which is about to launch a new play village in time for its reopening.

Now known as Audley End Enchanted Railway, it’s a must-visit for fans of all things fairy, as the train ride is full of magical moments winding through the woodlands.

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There’s an adventure playground and an elf and fairy walk as well as the new wooden play houses.

And this Mother’s Day weekend, both mums and grandmothers go free.

Just across the road is one of the historic houses looked after by English Heritage.

This year, Mothering Sunday falls during the National Lottery Week, which means free entry to English Heritage sites between March 7 and 15 with a lottery ticket.

At Audley End House and Gardens, one adult and two children can get free entry with each lottery ticket, so you could easily combine the English Heritage deal with the mums go free offer at the miniature railway for a full day of family fun.

While National Trust properties in England and Wales are also taking part in the National Lottery Open Week, many don’t offer free entry on Mothering Sunday, so that’s something to bear in mind.

But there are a number of other big names participating in National Lottery Open Week, such as several RSPB destinations around the UK.

What’s great about lottery week is that it’s not specific to mums – so if you’ve got an important person who you want to celebrate on Mothering Sunday, you can treat them, whoever they are.

As for other offers, you can head to Gulliver’s theme parks and get one adult entry for free with each paying child on March 14 and 15.

We always have a great time when we visit Gulliver’s Land in Milton Keynes, which is perfect for a first theme park visit if you’ve got little ones who haven’t been on rides before.

We especially love the JCB zone near the entrance, which has a covered picnic area where mums can have a coffee while the kids keep themselves occupied with diggers galore.

There are also Gulliver’s sites in Matlock Bath in Derbyshire and in Warrington, so you’re spoilt for choice if you want a fun day out.

These aren’t the only theme parks with offers for Mother’s Day either.

Other attractions include Drayton Manor near Tamworth and Flamingo Land in Yorkshire, both of which let mums go free on Mother’s Day with a full paying child.

Loads of farm parks around the country get in on the act of offering mums free entry and March is the perfect time of year for a visit, with lots of baby animals being born.

Bluebell Dairy near Derby is one example, where my little boy particularly enjoyed the huge jumping pillow and watching the cows in the milking parlour before sampling the ice cream that the farm is famous for.

Some farms are even giving mums a little gift as well as free entry.

Rand Farm Park near Lincoln, lets mums take home a potted plant to mark their special day, while at Thornton Hall Country Park near Skipton, mother figures will be offered a free glass of prosecco or orange juice.

The best way to find somewhere near you is to simply Google search ‘mums go free offer near me’, and you should discover a number of spots where you can save some money this Mother’s Day.

For more places to explore this Mother’s Day weekend, there are hundreds of paid-for attractions with free entry when you have this one item.

Plus, the family-friendly spas perfect for a Mother’s Day treat from country house hotel to hot-tub heaven in Lake District.

OVER the Mother’s Day weekend, you can head to some fantastic attractions across Britain for free – or as little as 25p.

Between March 7 and 15, National Lottery players can get free tickets, discounted tickets and special offers to hundreds of attractions across the UK.

All you need to do is show proof of purchasing a National Lottery ticket, scratchcard or Instant Win Game in store or online.

And what better way to spend Mother’s Day than exploring somewhere your mother has always wanted to – but without paying the usual fee.

So here are some of the best to add to your diary to visit next weekend.

The Brunel Museum, London

On March 14 and 15, you can head to the Brunel Museum for free and explore the world’s first underwater tunnel.

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The Thames Tunnel was built by Marc Brunel alongside his son Isambard Kingdom Brunel and hundreds of workers.

It was originally a pedestrian tunnel with lots of shops and entertainment, and then it was later converted into a train tunnel, which the Windrush Line now uses.

As part of your visit, you can head 40 feet underground into the Tunnel Shaft.

Tickets need to be booked in advance via the Museum’s website, using the code ‘LOTTERY26’.

English Heritage Bolsover Castle, Bolsover

Bolsover Castle was once an aristocratic retreat during the 17th century.

Inside, there are wall paintings and lavish interiors, and outside you can explore the Fountain Garden, which is designed around a statue of Venus and features lots of flowers.

If you have kids, there is a play area as well and a tearoom.

It’s not required to book in advance, but use the code ‘NLOPENWEEK26’ to gain free entry.

Free Family Swims at The Lenton Centre, Nottingham

Between 2:30pm and 3:30pm on Mother’s Day, families can go swimming at The Lenton Centre in Nottingham.

It’s a family swim session so you can master your swimming skills or splash and play.

As spaces are limited, booking in advance is recommended and you just need to bring your swimming gear and a towel.

Willow weaving with Oskars, Bridgewater

In Bridgwater, on Mother’s Day you can have a go at willow weaving with Oskars the Wanderer.

You’ll learn about the ancient craft, whilst also getting hands-on experience.

The workshop is ideal for beginners or even those with some willow weaving experience that want to learn new techniques.

And what’s better is that you get to take home your creation.

All materials and tools are included, and there are two sessions on Mother’s Day – one starting at 10am and another starting at 2pm.

The workshop will take place at Mingle Cafe Bridgewater and is for over 18s.

Abbotsford, The home of Sir Walter Scott, Melrose

Each day between March 7 and 15 from 12pm, you can head on a free tour of Abbotsford House, which was once home to Sir Walter Scott.

While you do have to pay for admission to Abbotsford, which is £16.20 per adult and gives you access to the house and gardens, the guided tour will be free when you present a National Lottery ticket.

English Heritage Housesteads Roman Fort & Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland

Housesteads is the most complete example of a Roman fort in Britain and can be found midway along Hadrian’s Wall.

The fort was built around AD 122, which is when work on Hadrian’s Wall began.

Over the decades, excavations have revealed major buildings, defences and even a settlement just outside the walls of the fort.

Visitors can see the fort as well as explore an immersive exhibition.

And you will even be able to see the oldest toilets in Britain!

You don’t need to book in advance but you can do online if you want to by using the code ‘NLOPENWEEK26’.

Historic Royal Palaces Hampton Court Palace, London

If you don’t mind celebrating Mother’s Day a day early, then you can head to Hampton Court Palace in London.

Whilst not free, you can get 50 per cent off tickets for up to two adults and four children.

You can explore Tudor kitchens, see amazing architecture and wander through 60 acres of gardens.

Booking online in advance is essential, and you will need to enter the code ‘LOTTERY50’ to benefit from the promotion.

Filmhouse, Edinburgh

Fancy doing something a little out of the ordinary? Well, you can go on a tour of the projection box at the Filmhouse in Edinburgh.

This unique opportunity allows visitors to see how real film projection works and explore the hidden areas of a film house.

Places are limited to 10 per tour and you’ll need to book your space via the Filmhouse website.

Eden Project, Cornwall

From March 7 to 15, you can get free entry to the Eden Project in Cornwall.

What says Mother’s Day more than flowers? Well, exploring thousands of them alongside other tropical plants.

The Eden Project is also home to the world’s largest indoor rainforest, so you can investigate plants from further afield.

You’ll need to book a free day entry ticket on the website, and then show your National Lottery ticket on arrival.

Witley Court and Gardens, Worcestershire

Perfect if you are spending Mother’s Day with children, Witley Court and Gardens boasts exciting woodland trails, sprawling gardens and a wilderness play area.

Witley Court once used to be a Victorian party palace, and inside the audio tour will bring the mansion’s party days to life.

To get free entry, simply show up with a National Lottery ticket or proof of a game.

For more inspiration on where you can visit across National Lottery Open Week, here are some more of the top attractions open across the country.

Plus, you can get a year’s free entry to 20 of UK’s top theme parks and attractions for less than the cost of one chocolate bar a week.

BRAD Pitt’s estranged son Maddox has dropped the actor’s surname for his credit on his new film with mum Angelina Jolie.

Maddox, 24, served as the production assistant on Angelina’s critically acclaimed 2024 Maria Callas biopic and is now an assistant director of her latest feature, Couture.

For the first time, he’s been credited as Maddox Jolie rather than Maddox Jolie-Pitt.

The new flick sees Angelina play the lead role of Maxine, an American film director diagnosed with breast cancer before jetting to France to shoot the film that will open Paris Fashion Week.

Brad and ex-wife Angelina, 48, have six kids — they adopted Maddox, Pax, 22, and Zahara, 21, and also have their biological children Shiloh, 19, and 17-year-old twins Knox and ­Vivienne.

Maddox isn’t the first child to ditch the Pitt name.

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Shiloh made the same decision in 2024. The legal forms were published in the LA Times for a month before a judge finalised the move as per California law.

Brad was reported to have been upset by the name change.

A source told People: “He’s aware and upset that Shiloh dropped his last name. The reminders that he’s lost his children, is of course not easy for Brad. He loves his children and misses them. It’s very sad.”

The same year Vivienne only used her mother’s name when she was credited as a producer on Broadway musical Playbill for The Outsiders.

While Zahara presented herself as ‘Zahara Marley Jolie’ at her introduction to the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at Spellman College in 2023, this despite Brad describing her enrolment at the college as “really beautiful” months earlier.

The Once Upon a Time in Hollywood actor’s marriage to Angelina came to an end in 2016 after an explosive row in front of their kids on a private jet. Brad allegedly clashed with Maddox on the same flight.

As the bitter divorce rumbled on, it became clear the kids were on their mum’s side.

An insider told The Sun: “As far as Maddox, Pax and Zahara go, the word is that they are totally in support of their mother and Brad doesn’t hear from them these days at all — certainly not the boys, and it’s been that way for a very long time.”

The source suggested Brad still had contact with his biological kids, Shiloh, Knox and Vivienne.

They said: “He still sees Shiloh and the twins whenever he can, though not as often as he would like.”

The multi-millionaire fought a long, bitter and expensive battle to try to gain equal custody rights with Angelina.

And in May 2021, a judge ruled he could jointly share access.

But just a few months later that was overturned following an appeal by Jolie on the grounds that the judge had financial connections to Brad’s legal team.

None of that stopped Brad from seeing the children under supervision, which he had to book in advance.

Following the break-up, Brad joined Alcoholics Anonymous and he has spoken about drinking too heavily for much of his life.

Pax’s private Instagram post in 2020 on Father’s Day suggested the kids experienced problems before and beyond the plane incident.

He wrote: “You time and time and again prove yourself to be a terrible and despicable person.

“You have no consideration or empathy toward your four youngest children who tremble in fear when in your presence.

“You will never understand the damage you have done to my family because you’re incapable of doing so.”

Feb. 16 (UPI) — Savannah Guthrie urged the person who allegedly kidnapped her mother to “do the right thing” as the search for Nancy Guthrie continues into its third week.

In a brief video posted to Instagram on Sunday, the Today show host said she wanted to say publicly that she and her family “still have hope” that their mother is still alive and that she wanted to tell whoever has the 84-year-old woman that there is still time to return her.

“I wanted to say to whoever has her or knows where she is that it’s never too late,” she said. “And you’re not lost or alone and it’s never too late to do the right thing. And we are here. We believe. And we believe in the essential goodness of every human being. And it’s never too late.”

Nancy Guthrie was last seen the night of Jan. 31 and was reported missing the next day after she failed to arrive at a friend’s house to watch an online stream of a church service.

Authorities have released images of a person captured tampering with the doorbell of Nancy Guthrie’s Tucson, Ariz., home. They have offered a $100,000 reward for information that leads to the woman’s recovery.

Late last week, authorities said DNA that does not belong to Nancy Guthrie or anyone close to her was discovered at her home, and that investigators were working to identify who it belongs to.

The FBI said in a statement the DNA was retrieved from one of about 16 gloves collected by investigators near Nancy Guthrie’s house.

The glove that contained the unknown DNA appears to match the gloves worn by the subject seen in the doorbell footage, according to the FBI.